GIlberts syndrome or not?

Hi,

I am 27 Years old and a regular consumer of alcohol. This was particulary high in the las one year say and i usual drink my scotch/rum neat. recently 4-5 weeks i have been experience severe bowel upset triggered by alcohol consumption. the liver functionality test revealed high bilirubin levels with the other parameters being normal.

should i consider it gilberts or should i go for more tests?

advice would be really appreciated

[KjFlicka]

I've been there... about a year ago. I'm going to go ahead and say you probably need to stop drinking until you find out what's up. You're young and you're probably fine, but here' my message to you: Don't be me. I'm 35 and now have end stage liver disease because of my drinking, which, by the way, was no more than the average schmuck. The good news is I'm fine now. But if I didn't find out what was up, I wouldn't have seen the reason to stop drinking and I'd probably be dead of liver failure. Yes I'd go in for more tests. Liver panels tell your doctor tons of information. Good luck and tell me what happens.

Sincerely,
Nicole

[mikesimon]

You could ask your doctor for a fractionalized bilirubin test. That test breaks down total bilirubin (which is what generally see on our lab results) into unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin. The sum of unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin = total bilirubin. An elevated conjugated bilirubin suggests a liver problem while an elevated unconjugated bilirubin is seen in Gilbert's Syndrome.
Gilbert's is considered by most to be a benign disorder. Basically it is caused by an underactive enzyme system that breaks down bilirubin. It is much more complicated than that and I am not knowledgeable enough to elaborated further.
I should say that I agree with Nicole that you should stop or cut down significantly your alcohol intake, at least until you get some answers. I would also advise that you seriously reflect on your alcohol intake and consider reducing or stopping your drinking for the long term.
Good luck,
Mike